Coronation Street legend has died and ITV soap shares tribute

ITV soap Coronation Street has confirmed the death of former cast member Geoffrey Hinsliff, who played Don Brennan on the cobbles from 1987 to 1997, with a tribute

The ITV soap has announced the passing of Coronation Street icon Geoffrey Hinsliff at the age of 87. The actor, recognised for his memorable role as Don Brennan on the cobbles, passed away recently.

Hinsliff was a familiar face in Weatherfield from 1987 until 1997, but it wasn't his first stint on the Street - he had previously made appearances in 1963 and 1977 before securing his full-time part.

Tributes are already pouring in, with Helen Worth, known to viewers as Gail Platt, saying: "Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all. His partnership with Lynne Perry was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years."

Born in Leeds in 1937, Hinsliff's passion for acting saw him gracing the stage early on with the Leeds Service of Youth Players and later studying at RADA. His screen debut came with a role on Z-Cars, followed by parts in other well-known series such as Adam Adamant Lives!, Dixon of Dock Green, UFO, Crown Court, and The Professionals, not to mention his film work, including A Bridge Too Far, reports the Mirror.

Hinsliff's diverse career also had him appear as a sergeant in a gripping episode of the British police drama The Professionals, specifically in the episode titled When the Heat Cools Off.

In 1979, he took on the role of Doctor Astrov in Chekhov's Uncle Vanya at Leeds Playhouse, under the direction of Michael Attenborough. He also featured in the comedy-drama Brass and appeared in two Doctor Who stories: Image of the Fendahl and Nightmare of Eden.

In 2010, he guest-starred in Holby City as an alcoholic.